Dry cleaning device



Jan.1 6,1934. H, D, READ ET L 1,943,552

DRY CLEANING DEVICE Fild Sept. 7, 1932 W1 l'l'fi g INVENTORS ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES PA'lENT OFFICE DRY CLEANING DEVICE Application September 7, 1932.. Serial No. 631,973

3 Claims. (01. 68-38) Our invention relates to dry cleaning devices for domestic use. One object is to provide a dry cleaning device comprising a package for the distribution of dry cleaning fluid in quantities suitable for domestic use and, which is also adapted to serve as a dry cleaning machine. Another object is to provide a dry cleaning device for domestic use which can be manufactured very inexpensively and distributed as a single completely sealedpackage containing dry cleaning fluid. Still further objects will become apparent as the description of our invention proceeds.

In dry cleaning garments in the home it has been found extremely hazardous to use the ordinary flammable type of cleaning fiuid. For this reason non-flammable and non-explosive cleaning fluids have been developed. While some of these fluids are highly superior to naphtha and other flammable fluids they have the disadvantage of high cost and an unpleasant odor.

It is therefore highly desirable to devise a dry cleaning device for domestic use which will conserve fluid and prevent any unnecessary evapo ration. At the same time it is essential that such a dry cleaning device be very low in cost. The manner in which we have solved this problem will be illustrated by reference to the drawing in which Figure 1 represents a side an elevation, partly in section, of our dry cleaning device in condition for shipment; Figure 2 represents a sectional elevation of said device in operating position; Figure 3 represents a sectional elevationof the interior parts shown in Figures 1 and 2;.and Figure 4 represents a plan View corresponding to Figure 1.

Our dry cleaning device as shown in Figure 1 comprises a completely sealed outer chamber 11 which is built up from a vessel 12, a closure 0 13 and a metallic strip 14. In the actual construction of this chamber, the side walls of vessel 12 and closure 13, as well as strip 14, are all made from a single metallic sheet. Strip 14 is defined by scoring two parallel lines on this metallic sheet. ,The sheet is then formed into a closed cylinder or prism with open ends. The bottom portion 15 of vessel 12 and the top portion 16 of closure 13 are then fastened in position by crimping as shown at 17. Strip 14 is provided witha projecting lip 18 which provides a means for removing strip 14. Vessel 12 is also provided with an inner bead 19 located near its upper edge. An outer bead located below this inner bead can be used to strengthen equipped with handles 20, which in the form shown are ear-shaped metallic. sheets soldered to vessel 12.

Packed within chamber 11 is an inner closure 21 resting upon bead 19; Closure 21 carries an 80 aperture 22 and, if desired, a bushing 23 in registry with aperture 22. Operating rod 24 is designed to work in a vertical direction within aperture 22 and bushing 23. Operating rod 24 carries at its upper extremity a handle 25 which may suitably be a loop-shaped extension of rod 24. At the end of rod 24 opposite handle 25 is provided a suction, cup or agitator 26 which is adapted to accomplish the actual dry cleaning. Operating rod 24, handle 25 and agitator 26 are referred to collectively in the claims as means for agitating garments and dry cleaning fluid.

Our dry cleaning device is received by the domestic consumer in the form shown in Figure 1. In addition to the parts already described, it contains a pool 27 of dry cleaning fluid, preferably of the non-flammable and non-explosive type. In the form shown, this pool does not occupy all of vessel 12, but it might suitably do so. When the consumer desires to put this device into operation he removes strip 14 and discards closure 13. Strip 14 can suitably be removed by the use of a key 28 which is removably attached to top portion 16. Key 28 carries a 86 slot 29 into which lip 18 can be inserted. Key 28 is then rotated, causing strip 14 to tear away from vessel 12 and closure 13. When strip 14 has been removed and closure 13 has been discarded the device will be in the form shown in Figure 2. 90 Inner closure 21 is then removed and, if it is so desired, a portion of cleaning fluid 27 is transferred to a storage receptacle for future use. The garments which it is desired to dry clean are then placed in vessel 12 in'contact with the 85 residual portion of cleaning fluid 27. The device is then operated by reciprocating suction cup 26 in a vertical direction by means of handle 25. Suction cup 26 will be found to co-agitate the cleaning fluid and garments being dry cleaned. When suction cup 26 is being raised the suction effect will cause the dry cleaning fluid to rush through the garments thereby efiecting a very thorough cleaning action. When the dry cleaning operation has been completed closure 21 is removed and the garments are wrung out and taken away to dry. The operation may then be repeated.

Our dry cleaning device in the form shown in Figure 2 can be used for the permanent storage of cleaning fluid 27 since closure 21 fits sufliciently tightly into vessel 12, and operating rod 24 fits sufliciently tightly into aperture'22 and bushing 23, to prevent any serious evaporation of cleaning fluid 27.

By the use of this dry cleaning device we have found it possible to supply the domestic consumer with a highly efficient dry cleaning machine along with a package of non-flammable and non-explosive cleaning fluid at a price only slightly in excess of the cost of the fluid in a plain package which cannot be used as a dry cleaning machine. The use of this dry cleaning device accomplishes more thorough cleaning action than can be accomplished in dry cleaning by hand; it minimizes odors by keeping the cleaning fluid enclosed during the cleaning process; and it renders it unnecessary to get the fluid in contact with the hands during cleaning.

Although we have described our invention in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it will readily be comprehended that numerous modifications can be made within the spirit of our inventionand We do not wish to be limited to our specific embodiment but only to the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A dry cleaning device comprising: an openmouthed vessel; a closure therefor; a removable metallic strip forming a fluid-tight union between said vessel and said closure; supporting means located on the inside of said vessel near the mouth thereof; a removable inner closure carried by said supporting means and having an aperture therein; and means for agitating garments and dry cleaning fluid during a dry cleaning operation, said means being disposed com- -pletely within the chamber formed by said vessel, said strip and said first-mentioned closure, and extending through the aperture in said inner closure.

2. A dry cleaning device comprising: an openmouthed vessel; a closure therefor; sealing means forming a fluid-tight union between said vessel and said closure; supporting means located on the inside of said vessel near the mouth thereof; an inner closure adapted to be carried by said supporting 'means, said inner closure having a small aperture therein; an agitator disposed ,within the chamber formed by said vessel and said inner closure; and operating means connected to said agitator and extending through said aperture, said operating means being completely enclosed within the chamber formed by said vessel, said sealing means and said firstmentioned closure.

3. A dry cleaning device adapted to hermetically contain dry cleaning fluid comprising: an open-mouthed vessel; a closure therefor; a removable metallic strip forming a fluid-tight chamber with said vessel and said closure; means for removing said metallicg strip; supporting means located on the inside of said vessel near the mouth thereof; an inner closure adapted to be carried by said supporting means; an agitator disposed within the chamber formed by said vessel and said inner closure; a handle disposed within the first-mentioned chamber and without the last-mentioned chamber; and connecting means attached to said agitator and said handle and extending through said inner closure.

HAROLD D. READ. IEONARD C. NEUFELD.

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